Sunday, June 7, 2009

Secret to Sensational Succulents

The key to great succulent container gardens is to avoid over-loving the plants.

We blow it by over-watering, not allowing for drainage and then these guys that are used to getting dried out from time to time, get mushy, sick and may die.

Here's my formula for healthy soil and happy succulents.

1- Choose a great well draining cactus soil. Many specialty nurseries offer a better drainage version than pre-packaged varieties in big box stores. But definitely don't use standard potting soil

2- Cut a small piece of screen material and place in the base of your container, over the drainage hole. This will stop ants from getting in and spreading disease.

3- Then add a pottery chip over the drainage hole to again help with drainage.

4- A secret I learned to help even more is sand on top of the cactus soil. Use 2/3 cactus soil in your container. Then top it off with 1/3 sand. This will allow the water to trickle down and not drench your plant.

5- Top off your cactus/succulent container with stones, glass, whatever you like for mulch and artistic appeal. My personal favorite is sky blue/white, almost glacier like recycled glass chips.

6-Try for a fresh, cool look - like adding jewelry or bling to your container garden design! And it's a surprising contrast with heat loving plants like aloe, echeverias, and agaves.

7- Remember succulents are drought tolerant and when in doubt, think drought-less watering is more and let them dry out in between watering - no more than 1 x a week.

About Me

I live for Home, Garden and Life Improvement of all kinds. I have a passion for discovering new, clever, creative, and fun ways to make the spaces inside, and outside you call home better, so when you come home you can say...AHHHHHH. I believe sometimes creating your home dream is doing it yourself, other times it's hiring it done--always it's about getting the smartest information so you can make the best decision. Fixing my home and garden is how I spend every free moment I have, and when I'm not doing that I'm researching, discovering the latest solutions that we can all learn from and I share it here! You can listen to all kinds of great ideas, inspiration, techniques and trends for anything tied to the home by going to my web site www.homewizards.tv where you can catch my radio show based in Los Angeles either live via streaming audio but also the archives of past shows and topics of interest. And please email me the topics and projects you are up to and want to know about~!